Modulo

Daring Book for Girls

Recommended Ages

4th–8th grades

Many “how-to” books for kids lean heavily into either stereotypes or pure silliness. “The Daring Book for Girls” offers a mix of stories, games, crafts, outdoor skills, and history snippets designed to inspire confidence and curiosity in a wide range of interests. Written by Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz, it was conceived as a counterpart to “The Dangerous Book for Boys,” but its content is welcoming to readers of all genders. We love the variety: one moment kids are learning to double Dutch or build a campfire, the next they’re reading about remarkable women in history. It’s a good fit for roughly ages 8–13 who enjoy browsing, trying projects, and dipping into short chapters rather than reading straight through. Some references may feel a bit dated or assume certain cultural contexts, but families can easily adapt or update activities. Pro tip: let your child choose a “daring project” from the book each month and plan time, materials, and a little celebration when they complete it.

Best for adventurous tweens (roughly 8–13) who enjoy dipping in and out of books, trying new skills, and reading about historical women and practical know‑how in a fun, magazine‑style format.

Pros

A grab‑bag of projects, games, sports skills, crafts, and short profiles of notable women that invites girls to climb trees, change a tire, learn card games, and explore history; many parents and bloggers love its adventurous spirit and the way it encourages confidence, competence, and curiosity beyond stereotypically “girly” activities. 

Cons

Content is eclectic rather than sequential, so it doesn’t function as a structured curriculum; some sections (such as sleepover games involving contacting spirits or levitation) have raised concerns for religious families and led them to selectively skip pages or avoid the book; a few activities require significant supplies or adult supervision. 

Because it’s secular and broadly educational—touching history, science, outdoor skills, and crafts—many charters and ESAs will reimburse it as part of enrichment, humanities, or PE/outdoor‑education spending; policies vary by program.

$31-$42.99 on Amazon

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Daring Book for Girls
$31.00 USD

Skills

What kids will learn
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Life Skills
Life Skills
Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts

Daring Book for Girls Mission

The Daring Book for Girls is a big, browsable handbook meant to show girls that the world is full of adventures, skills, stories, and projects that are for them. From games and sports to campcraft, female heroes, and creative projects, it aims to nurture curiosity, courage, and a sense of possibility.

Daring Book for Girls Story

Writers Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz created The Daring Book for Girls as a celebration of girlhood that treats girls as capable adventurers rather than passive sidekicks. Packed with practical how‑tos, historical mini‑biographies, and just‑for‑fun ideas, the book invites readers to fill their days with imagination, physical play, and learning new things “if you dare.” Its runaway success led to sequels, spin‑offs, and countless family stories of kids using it as a checklist of skills to try.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Daring Book for Girls

On a sunny day you might see your child lugging the sturdy, retro‑styled hardcover out to the backyard, flipping through dog‑eared pages that smell faintly of ink and paper until they land on an activity, then racing off to gather a jump rope, flashlight, or pack of cards while you hear bursts of laughter and shouts of “I didn’t know girls did that!” from down the hall or outside.

The Daring Book for Girls is a compendium of projects, stories, games, and how‑tos—from knot‑tying and building forts to learning about female explorers and historical heroines—designed to invite girls into adventure and competence. Families often leave it out as a “strewing” book for free reading, then intentionally choose specific activities (like practicing a new card game, learning basic first aid, or researching a woman scientist) to fold into weekly “adventure afternoons,” nature days, or unit studies. 

Many families treat this as a shared project book: adults help with any safety‑sensitive activities, join in learning new skills like compass use or basic camping tricks, and use the historical profiles as jumping‑off points for further reading.

Readable independently for many kids around ages 8–12; younger children can enjoy sections as read‑alouds, especially the stories of real women and the simpler games and crafts.

Daring Book for Girls offers a similar grab‑bag of projects and stories, which can give autistic and ADHD kids concrete activities and scripts for play or exploration. As with its companion, parents may want to curate content and adapt expectations for safety, physical ability, or sensory needs.

Refunds follow the standard policy of your chosen retailer; if you receive a damaged or mis‑shipped edition, contact that seller for an exchange.

Not ideal for families wanting tightly planned lessons, for kids who find browsing anthologies overwhelming, or for those who wish to avoid any mention of occult‑themed games.

Consider “The Dangerous Book for Boys” (which many families use for all genders), modern girls’ survival or outdoor skills guides, or structured programs like scouting or 4‑H for more systematic hands‑on life skills. 

Originally released in 2007 and reissued in various formats, the book has spawned sequels, pocket editions, and kits; while some cultural references are of their time, the core mix of practical skills and stories about bold girls remains fresh and continues to find a new generation of readers. 

Pre‑read and bookmark favorite projects, then set aside an “adventure afternoon” once or twice a month where your child chooses an activity from the marked pages and you tackle it together.

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Meet Andrea and Miriam

Andrea J. Buchanan is a PEN‑finalist and New York Times–bestselling author whose works include The Daring Book for Girls and several other books about motherhood, creativity, and resilience; before becoming a writer she trained as a classical pianist, earning music degrees from the Boston Conservatory and the San Francisco Conservatory. She co‑authored The Daring Book for Girls with writer and teacher Miriam Peskowitz, bringing together their interests in history, practical skills, and empowering narratives for girls.